MT SB362

Fire chiefs gain discretionary authority to hire applicants with misdemeanor or felony convictions as municipal firefighters, removing the previous blanket prohibition on hiring anyone convicted of crimes punishable by federal or state imprisonment

Applicants convicted of crimes requiring registration on Montana's sexual or violent offender registry remain permanently disqualified from firefighter positions regardless of fire chief discretion

Amends Montana Code Annotated sections 7-33-4107 and 7-33-4108 governing firefighter qualifications and physical examination requirements

Core firefighter eligibility requirements remain unchanged: U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, minimum age 18, high school diploma or equivalent, Montana driver's license eligibility, physical examination, and fingerprint background check